Folic Acid is Great For Your Teeth - Here's Why!

Vitamin B9 is remarkably important in supporting the cells that make up the gums, as well as the mouth’s ability to fight off inflammation and disease. Those who lack adequate amounts of folic acid can find themselves at risk for early signs of irritated gums such as bleeding, bad breath, and cavities.

If not addressed with proper diet and dental care, these symptoms can lead to advanced periodontal disease, potentially causing loss of teeth, visibly receding gums, and the need for invasive periodontal treatment.

The good news is that a diet high in folate or folic acid could help prevent gum disease from developing. What’s more, those looking to stop receding gums from getting worse can turn to folic acid to stop it in its tracks. And if a patient does end up needing periodontal treatment, folic acid could help with post-procedure healing and may even prevent symptoms from returning later.

How Much Folic Acid Do You Need Per Day?

As with most essential vitamins, it’s best to get as much of your folate as you can from a healthy and balanced diet. However, many people may still benefit from adding a folic acid supplement to their daily routine.

The National Institutes of Health offers the following recommendations by age for daily doses in micrograms (mcg):

*Equivalent to the intake of folate in healthy, breastfed infants.

Certain groups may need even higher doses to get the full effects of the folic acid. These might include:

• Women who are pregnant or lactating as the body’s demand for folate increases;
• People with malabsorptive conditions such as celiac disease or IBS;
• People with limited diets who might not be getting enough folate for whatever reason;
• People who consume excessive amounts of alcohol as alcohol interferes with folate absorption;

Article Source: https://www.deltadentalwa.com/blog/entry/2021/01/folic-acid-good-teeth